Coletta Hilbers

Coletta Joyce Hilbers, 86, of Hooper passed away on Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, at Hooper Care Center.

Coletta was born Feb. 21, 1928, in Hooper to Fred and Loretta (Boell) Ott. She was confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Hooper. She graduated from Hooper High School in 1945. Following her graduation, she attended commercial school in Omaha where she stayed and worked as a bookkeeper until she married Elmer Hilbers on Feb. 13, 1949. She and Elmer lived on the family farm north of Hooper where they raised their daughter Jane. In 2008, Coletta moved to the Elkhorn Valley Villa in Scribner until she moved to the Hooper Care Center in 2014.

Coletta was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Throughout her time as a member, she held roles as the senior-choir director, choir member, children's-choir director, Sunday-school teacher, Bible-school teacher, and VBS helper in the kitchen. She was also a member of the Women of the ELCA and Extension Club. Coletta belonged to a pinnacle club for over 60 years. She enjoyed playing all sorts of card games with family and friends and enjoyed going out to eat with Elmer every Saturday night. She also enjoyed playing piano and attempted to teach all of her grandchildren to play. She enjoyed completing crossword puzzles, bowling, playing golf, and doing jigsaw puzzles. Coletta enjoyed embroidering various items for her family members and doing craft projects with her grandchildren.

Survivors include: her daughter, Jane Flores of Hooper; brother, Larry Ott of Phillipsburg, Kan.; five grandchildren: Brian Flores, Becky (James) Sells, Stacey (Shawn) Smith, Barb Flores and Laura Flores; six great-grandchildren: Breanna, Ellie, Jacob and Tessa Smith, Liam Odoms and John Sells; and many nieces and nephews.

Coletta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son-in-law, Steve Flores; sister-in-law, Nancy Ott; four brothers-in-law and four sisters-in law.

The funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, north of Hooper. The Rev. Judith Johnson will officiate. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Sunday with family present from 6-8 p.m. at Ludvigsen's Hooper Funeral Chapel. The committal will be in the St. Paul's Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online guestbook at www.hooper-scribner.com.